Book Three: Out of Time

[Mant72]

Dr. Clarke:

"Yes, Nyarlathotep is part of the outer beings that the cult pays homage to. I hope Father Vaughan has not been taken over by the crystal. It had significant effect on you Frank. How are you feeling being separated from the crystal Frank? It's is no longer in your vicinity. Could you feel it's presence when it was near?"

Dr. Morgan:

Frank shudders, recalling the relentless hold the crystal had over him. He responds to his fellow professor, "No, David. I have felt nothing pertaining to the crystal since it has left my possession. I also share your concern for Father Vaughan. With all that has occurred, I cannot help but think something nefarious has befallen him.”

[Grognardsw]

Marius can't understand sections of the book written in Xaqloui, that cult language Reginald and the others have mentioned. But the hunter does find some translation notes by Reginald.

[Grognardsw]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer and occultist
Reginald tries his best to make it through the day, focusing on mundane tasks. He occasionally lends a hand to Marius with the Pnakotic Manuscripts, although he is careful not to drag himself into its mysteries again. He is looking forward to seeing his friend Harold again. He also is eager to meet with the psychiatrist; Reginald fears that his mind is going down the same path that took Timothy's sanity.

Reginald is more apprehensive than he cares to admit about his meeting with Professor Angell. He worries that the professor has unearthed even more arcane knowledge, and what effect this might have on his fragile state.

After a fitful night's sleep, he counts the minutes until the 11:00 meeting.

The next morning around 9:00 am Reginald slowly awakens. He is sluggish, still tired. There were dreams but he can't remember them. He dresses and prepares for his 11:00 meeting with Prof. Angell at Brown University. The book dealer notices that Marius is still asleep in the guest bedroom. How long was the hunter up last night reading the Pnakotic Manuscripts?

The piping of Reginald's morning tea kettle finally awakens Marius, who gets up and quickly dresses to accompany Reginald to Brown. The two discuss Marius' reading last night.

Later that morning...

"Good morning Mr. Wilkins," says Prof. Emeritus Angell. "How can I help you?"

Dr. Clarke:

"Yes, Nyarlathotep is part of the outer beings that the cult pays homage to. I hope Father Vaughan has not been taken over by the crystal. It had significant effect on you Frank. How are you feeling being separated from the crystal Frank? It's is no longer in your vicinity. Could you feel it's presence when it was near?"

Dr. Morgan:

Frank shudders, recalling the relentless hold the crystal had over him. He responds to his fellow professor, "No, David. I have felt nothing pertaining to the crystal since it has left my possession. I also share your concern for Father Vaughan. With all that has occurred, I cannot help but think something nefarious has befallen him.”

"Well thank you gentlemen for your assistance in Red Hook," says Agent Mulder. "I believe New Orleans will be our next trip. In the meantime, feel free to pursue your leads in Arkham. I will be in touch in the next week."

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer and occultist

The piping of Reginald's morning tea kettle finally awakens Marius, who gets up and quickly dresses to accompany Reginald to Brown. The two discuss Marius' reading last night.

"How did your studies of the Pnakotic Manuscripts fare last night, Marius?" asks Reginald. "When I began to read it, I found it both disturbing and confusing. Did you have a similar experience?"

Later that morning...

"Good morning Mr. Wilkins," says Prof. Emeritus Angell. "How can I help you?"

"Good morning, Professor Angell," says Reginald, extending his hand. "This is my associate, Mr. Marius Albertoni. It is good to see you again, professor. I'm not sure if you remember, but you were one of my advisors during my graduate studies here at Brown. Thank you again for agreeing to meet with us." Reginald closes the door to Professor Angell's office.

"I'll get right to the point. Mr. Albertoni and I, along with several others, have been working with the Bureau of Investigation. We've been trying to track down the leader of a group that has been responsible for a multitude of serious crimes, including the theft of ancient artifacts and multiple murders.

"We were in New York yesterday, following up on a lead. We found a letter, which indicated that you may have been investigating a group similar to ours. Anything you can tell us would be of great service, and will likely help save further lives.

"Tell me, professor. Does the word 'fhtagn' mean anything to you?"

[Starbeard]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer and occultist
"How did your studies of the Pnakotic Manuscripts fare last night, Marius?" asks Reginald. "When I began to read it, I found it both disturbing and confusing. Did you have a similar experience?"

Marius wipes away layers of sleep from his eyes and thanks the Lord for a hot drink. "It is utter blasphemy," he says with irritation. "God, living on a mountain in Turkey! Great ancient races before the evolution of man! I can't seem to tear my eyes away from it." He looks over Reginald's handwritten notes from the Xaqlui text, scratching his head. "I don't get it, Reginald. Write the names forward, pronounce them backward. What, is it some kind of code language or something?"

He goes over his own notes. "I found this Nyarlathotep legend interesting. Ancient Egyptians called him 'No Peace At the Gates,' and he was the messenger for the Outer Gods. They believed he controlled the gates between dimensions—or that he was the gate between the dimensions, I'm not sure exactly. I'm a little confused. And there's this mention here, about some explorers looking for Marzai the Wise on Hatheg-Kla in Turkey, and finding some symbol that's supposed to be in the oldest parts of the Pnakotic Manuscripts. I wonder if we can figure out what symbol it's talking about." He flips through the book to the Xaqlui section, unless Reginald knows better and points out another section, and looks for any symbols that seem to be repeated conspicuously.

"Good morning, Professor Angell," says Reginald, extending his hand. "This is my associate, Mr. Marius Albertoni. It is good to see you again, professor. I'm not sure if you remember, but you were one of my advisors during my graduate studies here at Brown. Thank you again for agreeing to meet with us." Reginald closes the door to Professor Angell's office.

"I'll get right to the point. Mr. Albertoni and I, along with several others, have been working with the Bureau of Investigation. We've been trying to track down the leader of a group that has been responsible for a multitude of serious crimes, including the theft of ancient artifacts and multiple murders.

"We were in New York yesterday, following up on a lead. We found a letter, which indicated that you may have been investigating a group similar to ours. Anything you can tell us would be of great service, and will likely help save further lives.

"Tell me, professor. Does the word 'fhtagn' mean anything to you?"

Marius feels like a cool agent. He's actually starting to understand all this 'fhtagn', 'Nyarlathotep' nonsense everyone keeps throwing back and forth, like he's in some sort of secret club. Everyone he sees is beginning to look like a insider or an outsider, a friend or an enemy.

He warmly shakes Prof. Angell's hand and smiles while watching the professor's reaction closely for a misstep.

[Mant72]

"Well thank you gentlemen for your assistance in Red Hook," says Agent Mulder. "I believe New Orleans will be our next trip. In the meantime, feel free to pursue your leads in Arkham. I will be in touch in the next week."

Dr. Morgan:

"Thank you, Agent Mulder, and yes, New Orleans seems like our next plausible designation." Frank then turns to Professor Clarke,"Well David, any suggestions where we should continue our search in Arkham? Shall we see what we can find out about the young lady, Asentha Waite?"

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Yes back to the university to inquire about Ms. Waite. While we are there we should check in with Florence and see how she is holding up and pay our respects to Raymond."

[Grognardsw]

Recollections about Angell

Marius Albertoni, hunter

"Beats me," replies Marius in regards to Professor Angell and his mentioned collection of press cuttings. "Do we have examples of Chertovski's handwriting? If he wrote that letter, he may have stashed these cuttings here in the house. In fact, maybe we should do a quick comparison of the letter to any writing samples we have of all the current suspects and witnesses. Let's see… we should already have some writing from Chertovski, Carcosa, James Ford, Algier Joassaint, Lovecraft… who am I missing?"

The hand writing, Agent Mulder later verified, was that of Carcosa himself.

Agent Mulder reads it aloud:

"The press cuttings, as I have intimated, touched on cases of panic, mania, and eccentricity during the given period. Professor Angell must have employed a cutting bureau, for the number of extracts was tremendous and the sources scattered throughout the globe. Here was a nocturnal suicide in London, where a lone sleeper had leaped from a window after a shocking cry. Here likewise a rambling letter to the editor of a paper in South America, where a fanatic deduces a dire future from visions he has seen. A dispatch from California describes a theosophist colony as donning white robes en masse for some “glorious fulfillment” which never arrives, whilst items from India speak guardedly of serious native unrest toward the end of March. Voodoo orgies multiply in Hayti, and African outposts report ominous mutterings. American officers in the Philippines find certain tribes bothersome about this time, and New York policemen are mobbed by hysterical Levantines on the night of March 22–23. The west of Ireland, too, is full of wild rumor and legendry, and a fantastic painter named Ardois-Bonnot hangs a blasphemous “Dream Landscape” in the Paris summer salon of 1925. And so numerous are the recorded troubles in insane asylums, that only a miracle can have stopped the medical fraternity from noting strange parallelisms and drawing mystified conclusions. A weird bunch of cuttings, all told."

[Grognardsw]

"I'll get right to the point... We found a letter, which indicated that you may have been investigating a group similar to ours. Anything you can tell us would be of great service, and will likely help save further lives.

"Tell me, professor. Does the word 'fhtagn' mean anything to you?"

"Ah yes, Reginald, I have a vague recollection of your time in my class," says Prof. Angell cheerfully. "And I am aware of your book shop. It is good to see you again. And nice to meet you Mr. Albertoni."

When talk turns to the investigation, the old man looks troubled. (Psychology rolls please) He rises from his chair and walks to the office window, looking outside as he lights a pipe. He lingers for too many moments. "Yes... Yes."

The old professor then walks to the door and opens it, looking left and right down the hallway. He closes the door and sits back down.

"What letter is this? Do you have a copy?"

Reginald hands a copy to him. Prof. Angell examines it closely.

"I have in my career discovered... how shall I put it, things that should not be. Certain lines of archeological and anthropological study led to revelations quite contrary to the accepted historical norms. I and several colleagues here at Miskatonic University and elsewhere have, from time to time, investigated these disturbing findings. The results were unfortunate to say the least, resulting in death, madness and catatonia, and disappearances. I have been physically threatened and my home was burnt to the ground. The police were unable to help."

"This letter seems to recount my investigations of occultic phenomina during an active period when I employed a clipping service. This is troubling, because not many people knew of this. It implies that the author of this letter was spying on me. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. That collection of clippings was lost in the house fire."

"Fthagn is a word in their language - Xaqloui - meaning sleep, dream or wait depending on context."

"I almost don't want to ask, but what is the nature of your investigation? Is it a cult, and whom do they worship?"

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer and occultist

"Ah yes, Reginald, I have a vague recollection of your time in my class," says Prof. Angell cheerfully. "And I am aware of your book shop. It is good to see you again. And nice to meet you Mr. Albertoni."

When talk turns to the investigation, the old man looks troubled. (Psychology rolls please) He rises from his chair and walks to the office window, looking outside as he lights a pipe. He lingers for too many moments. "Yes... Yes."

The old professor then walks to the door and opens it, looking left and right down the hallway. He closes the door and sits back down.

"What letter is this? Do you have a copy?"

Reginald hands a copy to him. Prof. Angell examines it closely.

"I have in my career discovered... how shall I put it, things that should not be. Certain lines of archeological and anthropological study led to revelations quite contrary to the accepted historical norms. I and several colleagues here at Miskatonic University and elsewhere have, from time to time, investigated these disturbing findings. The results were unfortunate to say the least, resulting in death, madness and catatonia, and disappearances. I have been physically threatened and my home was burnt to the ground. The police were unable to help."

"This letter seems to recount my investigations of occultic phenomina during an active period when I employed a clipping service. This is troubling, because not many people knew of this. It implies that the author of this letter was spying on me. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. That collection of clippings was lost in the house fire."

"Fthagn is a word in their language - Xaqloui - meaning sleep, dream or wait depending on context."

"I almost don't want to ask, but what is the nature of your investigation? Is it a cult, and whom do they worship?"

Reginalds heart sinks as he hears his former teacher's words. If the professor is to be believed, then Reginald isn't simply going crazy; this cult is real.

"It is indeed a cult that we are investigating, professor," says Reginald. "They appear to worship an entity named Nyarlothotep.

"We too have found pieces of their xaqloui writings. Deciphering it has been ... taxing. Would you be willing to share what you've discovered with us?"

Psychology roll (05) [1d100] = 23

[Grognardsw]

Dr. Clarke and Dr. Morgan take the train back to Arkham and arrive that evening at Miskatonic University.









In Providence, Reginald Wilkins and Marius Albertoni talk with Prof. Emiritus Angell. His news, while helpful, confirms the investigators' worse fears.

"Nyerlathotep may be the being the cult worships, or just the messenger for something more dreadful," Prof. Angel says. His left hand shakes and his right eye develops a tick while he is talking. "I trust you've read about that? I am too old, and fearful for my life, to get back into investigating such things. I am sorry."

"Perhaps I can answer questions, but to embark on more... I'm afraid I can't. Merely talking to you is dangerous." He gets up from his chair again and looks out the window. "Have you noticed anyone following you?"

[Mant72]

Dr. Morgan:

"Well, David, I think a good night's rest is in order. I don't know how well I will sleep. It seems as if I have forgotten how." A wan smile flits across his face. He continues, "What say you to meeting up in the morning and following up with the Waite lead? We can then make our way to visiting with Florence."

[Starbeard]

Marius Albertoni

In Providence, Reginald Wilkins and Marius Albertoni talk with Prof. Emiritus Angell. His news, while helpful, confirms the investigators' worse fears.

"Nyerlathotep may be the being the cult worships, or just the messenger for something more dreadful," Prof. Angel says. His left hand shakes and his right eye develops a tick while he is talking. "I trust you've read about that? I am too old, and fearful for my life, to get back into investigating such things. I am sorry."

"Perhaps I can answer questions, but to embark on more... I'm afraid I can't. Merely talking to you is dangerous." He gets up from his chair again and looks out the window. "Have you noticed anyone following you?"

Prof. Angell's words echo the Pnakotic Manuscripts that Marius tried reading yesterday.

"Professor, you just said Nyarlathotep may be the god, or just the messenger. There's a book, the Pnakotic Manuscripts, and it says ancient Egyptians believed he was the messenger, or the gatekeeper, to the 'Outer Gods' and their world. We've also been uncovering a whole lot of old Egyptian knick-knacks at every place we've found connected to the cult. There's even some guy, a black African who calls himself the Dark Pharaoh, who really buys into it the look. Snake-charmer, occult magic, the whole bit. I think his name is Algier Joassaint, if you've come across that name before in your clippings."

He habitually glances out the window and tries to remember after the fact if he noticed anyone following them to Angell's place. "So if Nyarlathotep is just the messenger, who do you suspect is the real deity, Professor?"

Know(?) to determine if he can remember being followed:
Know (65): [1d100] = 8

Psychology roll:
Psychology (5): [1d100] = 4
Hot dog!
Raise Psychology (5)?: [1d100] = 52 by [1d8] = 1
Psychology now at 6

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Yes, it will be nice to sleep in my own bed again and be surrounded in a familiar setting. I'm sure that now that blasted crystal is no longer in your possession you will remember what it is like to sleep again. I'll meet you over in the administrations office at 9."
Dr. Clarke shakes Dr. Morgan's hand bids him a goodnight. "Pleasant dreams Frank."

[Grognardsw]

Reginald and Marius continue their talk with Prof. Angell. The perceptive hunter reads deep worry and perhaps paranoia in the old man. His twitch, his looking out for lurkers at the threshold, these things show the man to be unhinged.

"I have heard of the Pnakotic Manuscripts," he says. "An ancient and troubling alternate account of ancient history? You have it - have read it? I am sorry then. Such knowledge corrupts one's perspective and drives the very sanity from a man. I have heard of the book, but never set eyes on a copy. That is for the best. I have read other occultic books of similar vintage and later regretted it. You should burn that book!"

"I have not heard of this Dark Pharaoh or Algier Joussaint. Nyerlathotep as the messenger incarnate prepares the way for the Great Old Ones, said to be creatures of aeons past come to Earth. They are alpha and omega."


- - - -


Dr. Morgan nervously falls asleep that night, expecting his mind to again experience strangeness. He is surprised to awaken the next morning without memory of any dreams. Is the absence of the trapezohedron crystal the cause of his peaceful night?

[Mant72]

Dr. Morgan:

Frank awakens feeling invigorated and more rested than he has in quite some time; however, he will not be duped into thinking all is well with the world. He knows of the darkness and has experienced its taint first hand.

He readies himself for the day, changes into a fresh set of clothes, and prepares to meet David at the administrators office at 9 am sharp.

Before parting, he retrieves his pistol from his nightstand, makes sure it is loaded, and secures it safely in his pocket. It seems even a pleasant night's rest is not enough to completely shake the yoke of fear and paranoia.

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer and occultist

Reginald and Marius continue their talk with Prof. Angell. The perceptive hunter reads deep worry and perhaps paranoia in the old man. His twitch, his looking out for lurkers at the threshold, these things show the man to be unhinged.

"I have heard of the Pnakotic Manuscripts," he says. "An ancient and troubling alternate account of ancient history? You have it - have read it? I am sorry then. Such knowledge corrupts one's perspective and drives the very sanity from a man. I have heard of the book, but never set eyes on a copy. That is for the best. I have read other occultic books of similar vintage and later regretted it. You should burn that book!"

"I have not heard of this Dark Pharaoh or Algier Joussaint. Nyerlathotep as the messenger incarnate prepares the way for the Great Old Ones, said to be creatures of aeons past come to Earth. They are alpha and omega."

"What else have you learned about this cult, professor?" asks Reginald, desperation in his voice. "Where are they based? Who is their leader, if they have one? What is their connection to Selene, and the ancient moon cults?

"I have learned some of their language, xaqloui, although as you say it strains the mind. Is there anything about xaqloui you can tell me? Points of grammar, syntax, or other analysis?

"Professor Angell, please, anything you can tell us about what you've found in your investigation may save lives."

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

David washes and readies himself. He takes extra care to look as good as possible for his return to the university after his involuntary leave of absence. He hopes that his presence at the university is not to premature. He doesn't want to infuriate Dean Elliot with his presence if it is not wanted. It's been over a month since he returned from the failed expedition. He hopes enough time has elapsed. As David heads out the door he arms himself with his notebook and a sharp pencil.

[Grognardsw]

As he prepares that morning for the day ahead, Dr. Clarke recalls the many horrible things he has seen and experienced these last few months. All strangeness, deaths, alleged magic even, is enough to make one forget the real world and mundane activities that comprise life. The Dean had said go on sabbatical for at least a semester. The professor hoped his being about campus to investigate Ms.Waite didn't violate that.

As Dr. Clarke leaves his on-campus apartment, a sporty car pulls up in front.

"David! You're back!" Edith Walton cries from the driver seat of the car. "It's so good to see you darling. It feels like you were gone forever!"

--- --- ---

In Providence, Prof. Angell talks nervously with Reginald and Marius.

"The cult? I have come across several in my time. Those degenerates who follow murky Dagon, themselves becoming one with the deep. Then the deranged followers of dread Cthulhu. It was around that investigation in which I used the clipping service referenced in that letter you brought. And then small pockets - or one could say families - of unbalanced individuals believing this or that."

"But the activities and organization you describe is larger and unlike what I have encountered. There is a mind behind that, and legitimate citizens, and money. Yes it has reached a new level of sophistication that is worrisome. But so too has the opposition grown. I never had the goverent helping to such extant as you do. Such resources are needed to combat a multi-state, even country, coordinated cult."

"Does this portend a climax to the dark prophecies I have heard? Nyerlathotep preparing the way? There would need to be a confluence of factors - objects of power, sacrafices, blasphemous ceremonies across the world, the opening of gates at such times when the stars are right! Do you know of such things!"

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Edith! I was going to call you but I got in so late last night. It's so good to see you again my dear." He embraces Edith. "I'm just on my way to meet with Dr. Morgan at the administration office. Come with me. We are investigating a Ms. Waite, a former student of mine and cousin of Mr. Chertovski."